Thursday September 14, 2023

John 3:13-16

The Exaltation of the Cross

Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost

but may have eternal life.

This was the one feast that got a lot of preparation when I was a young passionist. I remember decorating the cross with beautiful flowers and lighting candles around it. The setting was always beautiful. The meaning of it all has changed for me. What does it mean to exalt the cross? I don’t mean the beautiful cross that makes you feel holy. I mean the cross you wish the earth would open up and swallow you because to this day you are so embarrassed about it, the guilt of it never seems to go away. For over 300 years the cross spoke Roman dominance, it was a stumbling block.

You and I cannot move forward unless we deal with the shame or embarrassment or guilt that controls us from a dark place. So choose your one thing and say this is part of my story. It makes me who I am. Is it divorce? Weight? Being fired? Alcoholism? Wealth? Meanness? Is there anything hidden in our secret lives? We bring it, we face it, we conquer it’s power!